Governance,
the Public Sector
and Corporate Power
Governance 301
Course
Outline
- Course Home Page
- Course Description
- Course Objectives
- Course Outline
- Unit 1
- Unit 2
- Unit 3
- Unit 4
- Unit 5
- Unit 6
- Unit 7
- Unit 8
- Evaluation of Students’ Work
- Study Schedule
- Online Writing Resources
- Digital Reading Room
Unit 1
Introduction to Changing Patterns of Governance: Exploring the Course Themes
Introduction
Unit 1 examines the changing nature of Canadian politics and the new roles that the public sector, society, and business currently play in the realm of governance. In this unit we will identify the major themes of the course and begin to explore some of the primary forces that are redefining how we think about state–society–business relationships. Aside from serving as a general introduction to this course, the unit will begin to analyze the changing patterns of governance in Canada.
Many of the concepts and ideas introduced in Unit 1 will be examined in greater depth later units. At this stage, you are not expected to grasp all the intricacies of the concepts and arguments identified here. These ideas will become more clear as the course advances. What is important now is that you begin to understand and identify some of the key themes of the course. By the end of Unit 1 you should also be able to explain what is meant by the concept of governance and be equipped to explore the question of why governance has undergone such a profound transformation over the last number of years.
Learning Objectives
When you have completed Unit 1, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives:
- Define the concept of governance and explain how this concept has evolved and been used by the World Bank
- Identify and explain the changes taking place in the patterns of governance in Canada
- Describe the leading factors influencing some of the major shifts in Canadian politics
- Explain why the power of corporations, especially large multinational businesses, has been enhanced in recent years
- Outline what is meant by the term “corporate citizen”
- Identify the major forces currently shaping public policy priorities
- Illustrate the tension between democracy and corporate freedom in contemporary Canada
- Delineate the meaning of “the economic elite” and explain why some suggest that it constitutes a ruling class
